One 7.5 mL serum separator tube (SST). Also acceptable: One 5 mL gold serum separator top tube (SST), one 4 mL green top tube (heparin), or one 4.5 mL light green top plasma separator tube (PST).
Handling:
Allow to clot, centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Refrigerate. Freeze at -20° C or colder if specimen cannot be assayed wtihin 48 hours. Allow no more than one freeze/thaw cycle. If multiple tests are ordered, send separate specimen for this test.
Stability:
48 hours refrigerated or 3 months frozen. Unstable ambient.
Standard Volume:
1.0 mL serum or plasma.
Minimum Volume:
0.4 mL serum or plasma.
Transport:
Refrigerated, or frozen on dry ice.
Comments:
The Beckman DXI CA 19-9 method is used. Results obtained with different assay methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably. CA 19-9 is useful in monitoring pancreatic, hepatobiliary, gastric, hepatocellular, and colorectal cancer. The CA 19-9 assay value, regardless of level, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease.
Rejection Criteria:
Gross lipemia or hemolysis; specimen frozen and thawed more than once.
MEDICARE MAY REQUIRE A SIGNED ADVANCE BENEFICIARY NOTICE (ABN) FOR THIS TEST